Rehearse objections and follow-ups
Practice a calm conversation with a clear ask, accurate evidence and a stopping point.
Prepare your response
Practice a calm conversation with a clear ask, accurate evidence and a stopping point.
Original teaching material. All numerical examples are hypothetical, not live market benchmarks. Adapt scripts to your actual situation; no messages are sent from this course.
Practice and self-review
Record a two-minute request and one-minute response to a firm no; review with the checklist.
Reveal worked answer guidance
A strong performance is specific, accurate and respectful. It makes a decision possible without implying an outcome is guaranteed.
Check your response for accurate units, real evidence, a prioritized ask, a genuine alternative and a clear next step.
Sources and scope
Harvard MCS: Evaluating and negotiating offers ↗ · Reference checked 2026-10-18
Career-services reference for offer evaluation, preparation and negotiation conversations; original lesson scripts and examples are authored for this course.
This course teaches preparation and communication. It provides no live pay ranges, employer guarantees, tax calculations or personalized legal/investment advice. Governing documents and local rules determine actual award and employment terms.
Record a two-minute request and one-minute response to a firm no; review with the checklist.
Your negotiation draft
Separate offer facts from assumptions, state a truthful prioritized ask, and define your next step. Save your draft before comparing it with the worked guidance.
Self-review checklist
Self-guided practice. Automated AI feedback and code execution are not connected.